NOVEMBER 28 – DECEMBER 4

THIS THURSDAY : THO PANEL ON THE SYRIA CRISIS Don’t miss our panel this Thursday, Dec. 7, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the National Press Club. Former high-level government officials will discuss the impact of the Syria crisis on shifting relationships and rivalries between the U.S., Russia, Turkey, and Iran.

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U.S.-TURKEY NEWS

As Zarrab takes witness stand, U.S.-Turkey relations worsen

Turkish gold trader begins testifying for U.S. prosecutors   Turkey's Erdogan helped Iran evade US sanctions, witness claims Turkey did not violate U.S. sanctions against Iran, "did the right thing", Erdogan says Testimony at US trial tests relations with Turkey

U.S. revisits policy of arming YPG in Syria

Arming YPG to stop after Trump, Erdogan talk last week: Mattis US to retrieve YPG weapons that threaten Turkey: Pentagon Turkey says US information on arms support to YPG ‘contradicting’

Additional news

Turkey foreign minister: Cleric's network infiltrated the US Turkey warns of ‘catastrophe’ if US recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital Erdogan says he reached same 'wavelength' with Trump in call

OTHER NEWS

Security

Mattis signals military shift in Syria to reflect IS defeat   Turkey priorities ‘disaggregation’ of moderate opposition in Idlib Turkey sends 180 commandos to Syrian city Al-Bab Turkey suggests plan to extend military mission in Syria to Afrin, Aleppo Turkey, Iran and Iraq launch first joint anti-PKK operation

Humanitarian Aid

Turkey strengthens aid programs in the Philippines Syrians in Turkey unlikely to return amid shaky prospect of peace Merkel promises Erdogan she will speed up refugee aid 1.1M refugees in Turkey hold charity debit cards Turkish aid agency distributes food in South Sudan

Economy

Turkey’s annual inflation hits 14-year peak in November with nearly 13 pct EBRD remains committed to Turkey: Country director Turkey’s 11-month exports hit over $142 billion as automotive exports rise Turkish trade deficit widens nearly 74 percent in October Turkey to do whatever necessary if banking sector affected by U.S. trial: Simsek

Energy

US opposes to Turkish Stream pipeline project with Russia: Official Atomenergomash, General Electric JV signs Akkuyu contract Turkey's energy imports increase by 38.4% in Oct.

Education

Nepali graduate calls on Turkey to boost scholarships Turkey launches educational activities in Mauritania Syrians ‘rapidly adapting’ to Turkish education system

Technology

TCDD launches tender for 96 high speed trains Turkish student invents device to track children Turkey’s national combat jet TF-X to fly by 2023: Minister

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

THE LATEST FROM THO

Two new “Exclusive Insight” videos explore importance of education for displaced Syrians

In two new “Exclusive Insight” video interviews with THO, Remi Hassoun (a Syrian activist who left Syria at the start of the conflict) and Lina Sergie Attar (co-founder and CEO of Karam Foundation) address the importance of education for displaced Syrians. In his interview , Hassoun – who has experience pursuing education in Turkey and the U.S. – discusses the challenges he and other displaced Syrians face when trying to continue their higher education in host countries like the U.S.

In her interview , Sergie Attar discusses the role that the international community can play in establishing sustainable strategies for providing access to education for displaced Syrians.

[ICYMI] THO factsheet: “A brief history of U.S.-Turkey tensions”

THO’s latest factsheet explores the history of tensions in the U.S.-Turkey relationship, from the 1964 Johnson Letter to more recent friction over the Syria conflict and the July 2016 coup attempt.

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WHAT WE'RE READING

Global re Thinkers: Hamdi Ulukaya: For using his yogurt empire to empower workers, refugees, and rural America – Robbie Gramer, Foreign Policy

Turkey’s strategic choice: Flexible alliances with an enduring transatlantic anchor – E. Fuat Keyman and Megan Gisclon, German Marshall Fund 

The Middle East’s next big challenge: Nuclear security – Nilsu Goren and Bilal Y. Saab, The American Interest

Building resilient businesses in Turkey, Bosphorus Summit – Remarks by Magdy Martinez-Soliman, UNDP

Refugees and asylum in the Aegean: The impact of the EU-Turkey statement – European Stability Initiative

Syrian refugees between hospitality and integration: Looking into the Turkish experience – Galip Dalay and Omar Kadkoy, in Looking ahead: Charting new paths for the Mediterranean (p. 121-123)

Tensions rise in Turkey over Syrian refugees – Dorian Jones, Voice of America 

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